Shenango Valley News

WASHINGTON, D.C. - On National Girls and Women in Sports Day, U.S. Representative Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania has co-sponsored the Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act. This legislation, introduced by Representative Greg Steube of Florida, aims to prohibit any governing body recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee (USOC) from allowing men to participate in athletic events intended for females. The bill also seeks to modify eligibility requirements for amateur sports governing organizations.

Representative Kelly emphasized the importance of preserving the integrity of women's sports, stating, "Let's be clear: women's sports should be for women only. I spent years coaching youth sports, and I know the real benefits sports can have for both boys and girls on and off the field. This legislation fights back against radical left ideology and takes the next steps to give young girls an equal opportunity to succeed."

Similarly, Representative Steube expressed his concerns about the erasure of women's sports and the need to stand for truth, reality, safety, and fairness. He emphasized, "Congress should not have to take legislative action to prevent biological men from competing against women for championship titles. Due to the illogical USA Boxing transgender policy, I introduced legislation to prevent organizations who choose to live in delusion from being recognized by the U.S. Olympic Committee."

To ensure comprehensive support for this legislation, Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama introduced a companion bill in the Senate. The Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act has garnered the support of various organizations, including the Alliance Defending Freedom, American Principles Project, Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee, Heritage Action, Independent Council on Women's Sport (ICONS), Independent Women's Forum (IWF), International Consortium on Female Sport (ICFS), Women's Declaration International USA, and Women's Liberation Front.

Riley Gaines, a 12-time NCAA All American Swimmer and Independent Women's Forum Ambassador, shared her appreciation for the leadership of Representative Steube and Senator Tuberville. As an athlete who has personally experienced the injustice of competing against a male, Gaines commended their commitment to fighting for fairness, privacy, and safety for girls and women in sports.

The need for legislation addressing this issue arises from USA Boxing's recent update to their National Rule Book. The update includes a new Transgender Policy, effective January 1, 2024, which allows a boxer who transitions from male to female to compete in the female category under certain conditions. As per the Ted Stevens Olympic and Amateur Sports Act, the U.S. Olympic Committee has the authority to recognize governing bodies for individual sports. USA Boxing has been recognized as the official governing body for boxing. However, the Protection of Women in Olympic and Amateur Sports Act seeks to address the concerns raised by this transgender policy.

The legislation introduced by Representative Steube and supported by Representative Kelly and Senator Tuberville aims to protect the integrity of women's sports by ensuring fair competition and equal opportunities for girls and women. It underscores the importance of preserving the essence of women's sports and highlights the need for legislation to prevent men from participating in athletic events intended for females.